Joint Laboratory for Digital Cultural Heritage and Museums is launched in Suzhou on Sept 22. [Photo provided to jsjyt.edu.cn]

Soochow University launched the Suzhou International School of Museology on Sept 22 at its Tiancizhuang Campus, marking a significant milestone in the integration of museum resources and higher education.

During the launch ceremony, an agreement on the collaborative construction of the school was signed. Simultaneously, the Joint Laboratory for Digital Cultural Heritage and Museums, along with the "Future of Museums" project, was unveiled.

The school is a collaborative effort orchestrated by the Chinese Museums Association, in partnership with Art Exhibitions China, Suzhou New District, and other stakeholders. It aims to leverage Soochow University's academic foundation to bridge museum-industry resources and higher education.

With a core focus on museology, the school will develop master's and doctoral programs, transforming real artifacts and exhibition projects into educational case studies.

In particular, the school will explore applications of artificial intelligence in the cultural heritage sector, ensuring rigorous historical verification processes.

Additionally, the school is committed to fostering international collaboration by partnering with museums and universities worldwide to conduct joint research and curatorial exchanges, to share China's museum practices and to cultivate museum professionals with both specialized skills and a global perspective.